System and method for facilitating TV channel programming
a technology for facilitating tv channel programming and tv channel programming, applied in the field of television, can solve the problems of insufficient time consumption of auto-programming functions discussed above, inability to meet the needs of customers, and large time consumption
Inactive Publication Date: 2006-06-01
SONY CORP +1
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- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
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Benefits of technology
The patent describes a method for programming a television with channel information using a removable memory device. The method allows the television to receive channel information from a computer without needing to autoprogram the information using its receivers. The memory device can be easily engaged with the television and can communicate channel information to the television. The method also includes prompting the user for location and television configuration information to ensure accurate channel map information is downloaded. The patent also describes a system that includes a removable memory means and a channel information source means for programming the television with channel information. Overall, the patent provides a convenient and efficient way to program television channels.
Problems solved by technology
However, with the advent of digital televisions and hundreds of satellite channels, digital ones of which might in fact carry several sub-channels, the autoprogramming function discussed above can consume an inordinate amount of time.
This is not only because of the increased number of channels but also because digital channels are more complicated to map, requiring not just a frequency map but also various decoding information.
Furthermore, even with algorithmic efforts to speed up the autoprogram process, much time is still required and because some broadcasts are not available 24 hours per day, some channels can be missed.
Method used
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[0012] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system is shown, generally designated 10, that includes a television 12, a removable memory device 14 such as but not limited to a Sony Memory Stick®, and a substrate 16 bearing instructions for using the removable memory device 14 in accordance with the logic discussed below to retrieve channel map information from a channel information source (CIS) computer 18 that may be connected to a wide area network such as the. Internet 20. Or, the CIS computer 18 may be the processor of another television that has already been programmed with channel map information. The removable memory device 14 can be engaged and disengaged by hand with both the television 12 and with the CIS computer 18.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred non-limiting TV 12 may include a digital receiver 22 for receiving, e.g., digital broadcast signals and digital cable signals, and an analog receiver 24 for receiving, e.g., analog cable signals. The TV 12 may also include ...
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A removable memory device is inserted into a channel information source computer, such as computer connected to the Internet, and channel map information is downloaded to it. The removable device is then removed from the source computer and engaged with a television to download the channel map into the television, thereby avoiding prolonged autoprogramming by the television's receiver.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to televisions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] When a television is initially installed in a user's home after purchase, the receivers of the TV search for what channels are available in the area. In conventional analog television sets such automatic search and tuning (referred to as “autoprogramming”) might take only a few seconds. Upon completion of the search, the television possesses a channel map that indicates which frequencies / channels are available for subsequent tuning when a user selects a channel. [0003] However, with the advent of digital televisions and hundreds of satellite channels, digital ones of which might in fact carry several sub-channels, the autoprogramming function discussed above can consume an inordinate amount of time. This is not only because of the increased number of channels but also because digital channels are more complicated to map, requiring not just a frequency map but also...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): H04N7/16H04N5/46H04N5/50H04N7/173
CPCH04N5/46H04N5/50H04N7/17318H04N21/4184H04N21/4345H04N21/4382H04N21/4383H04N21/4432H04N21/4622H04N21/4782H04N21/6175H04N21/6547
Inventor SHINTANI, PETER R.USUI, HIROFUMI
Owner SONY CORP